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The DA’s shadow minister for Agriculture, Rural Development and land Reform, Noko Masipa and provincial spokesperson for agriculture, Lindy Wilson, will conduct an oversight to the Zebediela citrus estate and will interact with the local community on their challenges.

This follows the release of the progress report by the Limpopo Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (LDARD) on the revitalisation of the Zebediela citrus estate, once the largest citrus plantation in the Southern hemisphere.

Despite plunging funds in excess of R6 million rand into the dysfunctional Zebedelia Citrus Farm, in the 2021/22 and 2022/23 financial years, Zebedelia Fruits Pty Ltd was placed under voluntary liquidation in May 2023.

Even with ongoing challenges LDARD has agreed further bail-outs in the current financial year:

• R4,2 million for the water and electrical infrastructure refurbishment at the Estate, and
• R2,5 million for the development of a Masterplan, with Impact Catalyst matching the LDARD’s funding with a further R2,5 million.

There is little doubt that more bail-outs will follow.

In mitigation the MEC for LDARD, Thabo Mokone, explained in the Legislature Portfolio Committee that infighting amongst the community, mismanagement and total lack of co-operation between the partners involved is an ongoing headache  but that there is a concern over job losses.

The in-fighting reportedly spilled over into a recent series of fires which caused significant damage to the packhouse, lodge and producing trees.

In September 2022, some beneficiaries of the Bjatladi community have requested a forensic audit after R48 million was unaccounted for which includes funds transferred into now suspended attorney Tumi Mokwena’s trust account who managed the estate since 2016.

Whilst the DA would like to see jobs security for all the workers from the farm, it is untenable that LDARD continues to bail-out a notoriously poorly managed citrus estate.

We will submit a report on our findings and recommendations to relevant portfolio committees.

Issued by Lindy Wilson MPL - DA Provincial Spokesperson on Agriculture and Rural Development